Crowe's no show

Film

16:30 21 February 2005

Russell Crowe claims his latest film 'Eucalyptus' was cancelled because he refused to show his penis on screen.

The Australian actor was due to star opposite Nicole Kidman in the low-budget movie, but bosses axed the film last week just three days before filming was due to start

Crowe has now revealed one of the reasons producers pulled the plug was because he baulked at the idea of exposing his manhood - despite being told he could maintain his dignity by using a prosthetic organ.

He said: "I was taken aback at the addition of a scene requiring me to expose my penis to the young Queen Elizabeth."

Speculation has also been rife that the film, based on a critically acclaimed Australian novel, failed to go ahead because of tension between the 'Gladiator' star and Kidman.

However, the Oscar-winning actor, who was reportedly taking a huge pay-cut to appear in the movie, has slammed the rumours, saying: "What next? Perhaps I wanted to play Nicole's role as well? Yes that must be it, Crowe needed nicer skirts."

(c) BANG Media International